Those of you who have considered switching from Crystal Reports to SQL Server Reporting Services may have been cowed by the thought of recreating all of your existing Crystal Reports RPT files in SSRS XML format. If so you should check out a new tool published by KTL Solutions in Frederick, MD. Crystal Converter  is a software application designed to convert RPT files into SSRS-compatible XML files. Not all features of the RPT will be converted but I was surprised at some of the CR objects that are supported. The list includes formulas, SQL expressions, running totals, charts, sections, groups and summary fields. It works with Crystal Reports files from v9 through v11

You can download a demo version for free, as well as the documentation. The product is priced at $445 per PC, but my readers get a $50 discount between now and the end of June 2007. Use my promo code at checkout – CCM50D – to get the discounted price of $395.

If you do try it or purchase it I would love to get your feedback.